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1919 




Company G. History 
102 ^ Anamunition Train 

AMER.ICAN EX. FOR.CES 




CAPTAIN ALSON SHANTZ 



The History 

« • 

of 

Company C 

102ncl Ammunition Train 



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American Expeditionary Forces 
1917-1918-1919 



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PUBLISHED BY THE COMPANY 

1919 



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THE Q^UAD AT THE FItONT 




At a meeting of Company C, held at Monlsurs, France, on 
January 5, 1919, it was voted that a history of the Company be 
prepared and published. It Was decided to use the Company^ funds 
for the purpose. The undertaking from the beginning has had the 
helpful co-operation and approval of the Captain. Walter H. Derr^, 
the artist member of the Company), drew the artistic cover designs and 
other sketches for the history. Albert D. Osborn was elected editor. 

The folloToing members have made contributions : 

Captain Alson Shantz, Charles P. Connors, George H. Heath, 
Lyle L. Hardman, Kent E. Mendell, Harold W. Church, 
Sylvester G. Shafer, Albert W. White, Cyril E. Cochran, 
Percy Hopwood, Ransford W. Furbeck, Albert D. Osborn. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Page 



Foreword by Captain Shantz 11 

In Memoriam 16 

Organization of Company 5 17 

Organization of Company 6 19 

Company C is Organized 23 

Camp Stuart and the Trip Across 31 

The Arrival in France 35 

From Bordeaux to the Front 39 

At the Front 45 

After the Armistice 55 

In the Rain at Brest 61 

Last Days of Company C 67 

Roster of Company C 81 




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Captain Alson Shantz 0pp. title page 

Captain Ernest V. Moncrieff 13 

Captain Arthur W. Beale , 14 

Corporal George Banning 15 

The Czar and the Mount Vernon 29 

Map of Our Trip North 38 

Captain Shantz in His Side-Car 40 

Map of Our Sector at the Front 44 

Frenchmen in Verdun 50 

Street in the City of Verdun 52 

Mess in, Belleray 54 

Chasing the "Cooties" in Montsurs 54 

Montsurs 57 

Camp at Brest 60 

On Board the Mount Vernon 62 

The Victory Arch 65 

View of Fifth Avenue During the Twenty- 
Seventh Division Parade 66 

The "Apple-Knockers" Leaving Camp Upton 69 

Squads 1 and 2 of Company C 71 

3 and 4 of Company C 72 

5 and 6 of Company C 73 

7 and 8 of Company C 74 

9 and 10 of Company C 75 

11 and 12 of Company C 76 

13 of Company C 77 

Sergeants and Corporals 78 

Four Members of Company C Not in Group 

Pictures 79 



COMPANY ''C" 

102nd AMMUNITION TRAIN, 27th DIVISION, U. S. A. 

AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. 



IT is a matter of great pride to me to be the one to 
write a foreword for a Ijistory of Company C, 102d 
Ammunition Train, 27th Division, American Ex- 
peditionary Forces. You can find four reasons for being 
proud in the four parts of our name. 

American Expeditionary Forces. — Two million have 
had the honor of using this as part of their temporary 
address. What they did in 1918 our grandchildren will 
know as well as we, or even better in the light of great 
events of history which are taking place as we go back 
to our homes and civil duties. 

27th Division. — This marks us as a part of one of the 
most powerful fighting units of this war. Though we 
were not with the infantry of our division, the record of 
our artillery shows such splendid work and wonderful 
efficiency that we regret that our friends in our own in- 
fantry could not have the benefit of its support. 

102d Ammunition Train. — Organized as part of the 
New York National Guard and recruited from men se- 
lected for knowledge of motor mechanics and from ex- 
perienced chauffeurs, the excellent quality of the unit 
made a strong nucleus around which an efficient train 
was built when it was reorganized for service in the 
A. E. F. 



11 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

Company C. — It is my particular pride to have been 
in command of this Company from its reorganization in 
October, 1917, to the day we bid good-bye to the army. 
The two companies of specially trained men which were 
united to make the new Company C, and the high grade 
of men we have had the good fortune to have our ranks 
filled up with, has made it an easy task to have a com- 
pany with a most flattering record. Courts-martial have 
been strangers to us and the necessity for punishments 
few. Our men have taken pride in pulling together and 
doing their tasks well. There has always been a willing 
response to every call and a ready performance of every 
duty, whether it was difficult, tiresome or dangerous. 

I am proud to have been in command of Company C, 
I am proud of its splendid record, both in camp and our 
eight hard weeks under fire on the front, and of the clean 
record of the individual men. If every man goes home 
with the consciousness that his duty has been well done, 
and that he has fought free from the evils that beset the 
soldier's path, then I shall feel that my work of these 
two war years has been a success. 

Captain Alson Shantz, 
Commanding Officer Company C. 



12 




CAPTAIN BRNEST V. MONCRIEIPB^ 




CAPTAIN ARTHUR W. I3EALE 




CORPORAL GEORGE BANNING 



3n jHemoriam 



George Banning, of Rochester, one of the best mem- 
bers of our company, was taken sick in Brest as we were 
starting on our ocean trip home, and died the night be- 
fore we arrived in New York Harbor. The sad event 
cast a deep shadow over our homecoming. George Ban- 
ning was highly respected by all and died a soldier's 
death. His memory will long be cherished by Company C. 



Carl Glass, of Syracuse, was obliged to leave us at 
Bar-le-Duc on account of serious illness, and soon after- 
wards we received the sad news of his death, which came 
as a great shock to the company. He was one of the 
older members and was admired and liked by all the men. 
He will long be remembered by his many friends. 



16 



The Beginnings 

ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY 5, AFTERWARDS MERGED INTO 
COMPANY C 



On or about July 15, 1917, the Buffalo papers came 
out with an article entitled, "Enlist in the Ammunition 
Train. Everybody Rides." About forty Buffalo boys left 
the meals mother cooks to eat with Uncle Sam at the 
first dinner of hash and beans. Our first night was 
spent in the Armory at Syracuse. (It was here we were 
introduced to blue blankets, canvas cots and tanbark) . 

Here Company 5, under the good leadership of Lieu- 
tenant Moncrieff, put in the rest of their stay, drilling 
in the parks, and soon were changed from rookies to semi- 
soldiers. In early August we left Syracuse for Messina 
Springs, where we pitched our first cam.p of squad tents. 
Our drill periods here were eased up by trips to the 
canal. 

After a hot, dusty hike back to Syracuse and a far 
from restful trip by train, we pulled into Pelham Bay 
Park on August 24, 1917. Once more we had the same 
old drills, but this time they were brightened by Kane's 
and the Beach ; as well as ''beaucoup" nightly passes to 
New York. 

We well remember the Farewell Review (especially 
the double time) and the big turkey dinner given us 
during our last days in old New York State. On Septem- 
ber 6 we broke camp and boarded a boat headed down the 
river, where we got our last look at old New York State. 
At Jersey City we formed a column of twos and climbed 
aboard "tourist sleepers" (pas W hommes 8 chevaux) for 
a sixty-hour ride to Sunny Carolina. We landed at Fair 

' 17 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

Forest, S. C, and after a light (very) breakfast, hiked 
through the sand to the historic spot which is now better 
kown as Camp Wadsworth. 

Here we had our tryout as cotton pickers, lawn 
graders, and road builders. After what seemed to us an 
enormous amount of unnecessary labor, this sand heap 
was transformed into a paradise for soldiers, which was 
to be our home for ten months. At this time our real 
training began. We then learned the song, "Squads 
right, squads left," with many, many tiresome encores. 

At dawn of October 18, 1917, the final words for 
Company 5, 102d Ammunition Train, were said. At the 
same time a new company and a happier one was born ; 
good-bye Company 5, welcome Company C. 



18 



Organization of Company 6 

Afterwards Merged into Company C 

June 23, 1917, old Company 6, fifty strong, boarded 
the "Empire" at Rochester for Syracuse to take the final 
physical examination and be mustered into Federal Serv- 
ice. The arrival at the Armory late in the afternoon was 
followed by our first army "mess" that night in the 
stables. The unusual dining room did not, however, take 
the keen edge off our appetites for we were as hungry as 
bears and devoured our f rugaf meal of beans and bacon, 
then rushed off to the drill hall to be mustered into Fed- 
eral Service, 

That night we slept in the drill hall. Did I say slept? 
We "spent the night" in the drill hall with our neigh- 
bors from Buffalo, Utica, and Syracuse, but we did not 
sleep — not that night! The next morning we had our 
physical test, and that afternoon found us on our way 
to Rochester on a chartered R. & E. furnished through 
the kindness of the Syracusians. 

The next two months we did "squads east" and 
"squads west," "on the right-left," "into line," and so 
forth. On August 11 we bade farewell to the Flower City 
and entrained for Messina Springs, our first camp. Here 
we got our first shot in the arm, did our first guard duty, 
and drew our first pay. Dips in the raging Erie were 
not infrequent occurrences, but hikes and drills were 
more frequent. 

Our training at Messina Springs ended August 22, 
when orders came to move to Pelham Bay. The next 
night found us on our way across the State for Pelham. 
Upon our arrival we found the six companies recruited 
in New York City and the Third Infantry there. We set 
to work and in a short time our camp was completed and 

19 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

we were back again at close order drill, physical torture, 
hiking, and so on. However, we had plenty of recreation, 
the majority of our free time was spent at the Bay. We 
also had plenty of time and opportunity to visit New 
York and nearly every night the greater part of our com- 
pany was on pass, either to New York or Brooklyn. Our 
stay in Pelham was in reality a short period of recrea- 
tion. Good food, ice cream, Kane's milk, and just enough 
training to keep us in a healthy condition. 

On the morning of August 30, 1917, we left camp to 
take part in the "Farewell Parade" of the 27th Division. 
What a parade it was ! Throngs of people lined the streets 
the entire length of Fifth Avenue from 110th Street to 
Washington Square, cheering themselves hoarse, waving 
flags and banners, and bombarding us with candy, chew- 
ing gum, and all kinds of fruit, cigars and cigarettes. We 
reached the end of the march at Washington Square late 
in the afternoon, tired but happy. After a little lunch 
we boarded the elevated line and were soon back in camp 
to rest up for the trip to the training camp in the South. 

The remaining six days passed quickly, and on Sep- 
tember 6 we struck tents and marched out of Pelham 
with full packs en route to City Island. Few of us will 
forget that trip down the river ! Boats saluting, whistles 
blowing, great crowds along the shore cheering and wav- 
ing handkerchiefs and flags. The Ammunition Train 
glided into the harbor at Jersey City and soon we were 
piling into tourist sleepers, grumbling because of the poor 
accommodations. 

Sunday morning, September 9, when we awoke it was 
announced to us that we were in Camp Wadsworth, We 
looked out of the windows. A camp! Ye Gods! and 
where? A big field of cotton was pointed out to us, our 
camp. We accepted it good naturedly or otherwise, mostly 
otherwise, rolled out, set to work, and soon had enough 



20 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

space cleared to pitch our tents. We rested a day or two 
when arms were issued to the Ammunition Train. The 
arms consisted of picks, shovels, wheelbarrows and gar- 
den rakes. Our first battle took place in the aforesaid 
cotton field. Company 6 made a gallant attack and when 
the dust of battle had cleared away a clean, level parade 
ground and a graded company street lay before us. This 
did not end our stevedore work, however, for we were 
at it from time to time all fall, building roads and 
trenches. 

Training at this stage of the game was very important 
and we worked hard, drilling, doing calisthenics and 
hiking. Usually we hiked about eight miles in the fore- 
noon and drilled in the afternoon on the parade ground. 
This was the hardening process for our work "over 
there." During our training Company 5 from Buffalo 
was our near neighbor. We ate in the same mess hall, 
worked on the same details, and hiked in the same battal- 
ion. A friendly rivalry sprang up between the two com- 
panies and we had many hard contests on the baseball 
field. Whether at work or play, the time was spent very 
pleasurably together, and on October 21, 1917, Companies 
5 and 6 lost their individualities under the title of Com- 
pany C. 



21 



Company C is organized 



On October 21, 1917, the general reorganization of the 
Division was put into effect; the change in the Ammuni- 
tion Train consisted of reconstructing the twelve truck 
companies into four truck companies, which constituted 
the Motor Battalion and two caisson companies and one 
wagon company, to be known as the Horse Battalion. 
Companies 5 and 6 were merged into one company to 
be known as Truck Company No. 3, which was later 
named Company C, 102d Ammunition Train, under com- 
mand of Lieutenant Moncrieff, Lieutenant Beale being 
transferred to Company I, 107th Infantry. 

So the new company started to soldier through a 
Southern winter, which was not living up to expectations, 
and we thought the saying "The Sunny South" a fable. 
We had not received our winter issue of clothes, but m.any 
promises were forthcoming from the Supply Department. 
Much to our relief the much needed equipment finally 
came during the first week of December. We received 
an extra blanket and a partial supply of O. D. clothes, 
which were surely not made to order. Also during this 
eventful week we received the information that our floors 
and side walls for our squad tents were finished, but as no 
means of transportation was available, the company pro- 
ceeded to furnish its own. This necessitated the carry- 
ing of these cumbersome pieces from the Q. M. yards to 
camp, a distance of about a mile, and, after putting them 
in place we were ready to call it a day's work. The week 
ended with our company's taking an active part in the 
review in honor of Governor Whitman. 

The remaining days of November were spent in 
drilling and in helping to construct the Vanderbilt High- 
way. We worked in gangs and were becoming very adept 

'23 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

in the use of the pick and shovel as our drill days would 
alternate with the road details — one continual round of 
pleasure ! 

It was during this month that we were fortunate 
enough to have Captain Alson Shantz, formerly of Troop 
H, First New York Cavalry, assigned to us, also Lieu- 
tenant Cauley and Lieutenant Johnson. On the 21st of 
the month a detail of eighteen men, under command of 
Lieutenant Cauley, was sent to Grover, N. C, for the 
purpose of furnishing wood for Camp Wadsworth. This, 
as well as the many other duties assigned to the Ammuni- 
tion Train, made us assume the role of a labor battalion. 

Thanksgiving was soon upon us and our dinner com- 
mittee had made preparations for a bountiful feast. But, 
sad to relate, our company was slated for guard on that 
eventful afternoon, consequently only those who escaped 
guard were able to do full justice to the meal in a leis- 
urely fashion. 

In the early part of December we commenced skirmish 
work which was to lead up to our Regimental Sham Bat- 
tle. On the day set for the encounter two forces of men 
were sent out for the battle. However, as they failed to 
meet, no casualties were suffered. 

Our usual jaunts to the Y. M. C. A., to say nothing of 
our visits to Spartanburg on the old "Pea and Hen," were 
interrupted by having our company quarantined to the 
company street because one of our members contracted 
the seemingly disgraceful disease of German measles. 
We had to be reconciled to answering our piled up corre- 
spondence and our squad troubles. 

Having the idea that we were far away from wintry 
weather, we were somewhat astounded on falling in for 
reveille one morning to find Mother Earth covered with 
about seven inches of snow. Much to our regret this had 
to be eradicated from the company street a la shovel. It 

24 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

was during this first cold spell that we received our ini- 
tial assignment of trucks and also orders for the re- 
mainder of the company to proceed to Grover, N. C. 

We arrived at the much talked of village on December 
18, and dug ourselves in for the winter (as we thought). 
We immediately took up our work of furnishing fuel for 
Camp Wadsworth, hauling the wood about six miles to the 
railroad and loading the cars. The work was made more 
difficult by the bad roads and the limited number of 
trucks ; these conditions kept the mechanics constantly on 
the job, as well as the drivers and loading details. Never- 
theless, the work was a small-item to us, as compared to 
the pleasant hours that were spent with the inhabitants 
of the surrounding towns. They took us into their homes 
and extended to us the Southern hospitality of the high- 
est degree. 

Christmas turned out to be a joyful day for all, due 
to the many invitations from our friends to share in their 
festivities. The following Saturday was a sorrowful day, 
as we received orders to return to Camp Wadsworth at 
once. We arrived at camp in a blinding snowstorm, a 
wet, cold, and crestfallen company. There was no one 
to greet us, only our empty tents and a food box in the 
same condition. 

The passing of the old year found us at our regular 
routine again, looking forward to the new year to bring 
us new and greater events (namely our trip across the 
briny deep) . Early in the year the Motor Battalion re- 
ceived twenty-one White trucks (somewhat misused) to 
take up new duties of the train. This was to furnish 
transportation for the entire division, our company be- 
ing the first to undertake this difficult work. We found 
that again we were to struggle with the Carolina clay, 
and it proved a very troublesome obstacle to our work, 
to which any of our drivers who made the well-known 

25 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

range trip will agree. The "haul out" gang were con- 
stantly on the job and their co-operation made it possible 
for us to carry out our duties in a noteworthy manner. 

At last our dreams were about to be realized ; we were 
rushed through our overseas examinations on January 
16. It was a critical time for us, as the rumors were 
strong that those failing would be assigned to permanent 
guard duty in the States. Many a pulse quickened as 
they stepped before the grim medical — oh ! what a relief ; 
what a "grand and glorious feeling" to know that one 
had passed successfully. But the appalling fact con- 
fronted us, that we were still in need of additional train- 
ing and we forthwith proceeded to undergo the horrors 
of the gas mask (by the numbers). We were told that 
if we could not adjust the contrivance in six seconds we 
would be dead men. Naturally, every one endeavored to 
master this art. After a trip through the gas chamber 
with and without the mask we very readily realized the 
value of the training and the protection afforded by the 
mask. 

Having covered the last lap of our overseas training, 
we were assigned to daily work on the Q. M. woodpile, 
which seemed entirely out of our line. Owing to the re- 
moval of the doughboys who were guarding the Q. M. 
warehouses, it fell to the lot of the train to assume this 
duty in addition to our Regimental guard, making con- 
tinuous guard duty necessary for almost every man. To 
cap the climax the few hours that we could spend in town 
were curtailed by the Spinal Menengitis quarantine of 
Spartanburg, and we had to be contented with camp en- 
joyments. 

We were in an uncertain position at this time for we 
scarcely knew from day to day exactly who our com- 
mander was. Captain Shantz had previously been as- 
signed as commander of the camp prison, and during his 

26 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

absence we had been under the guiding hand of Lieuten- 
ant Johnson. Sad to relate, he was transferred to the 
105th Infantry and we were without an officer for a few 
hours. However, Headquarters came to our rescue and 
assigned Lieutenant Libby, who, after a few days, was 
succeeded by Lieutenant Beale. Owing to Lieutenant 
Beale's promotion, which he received shortly after coming 
to our company, he left us and was assigned to the 102d 
Supply Train. Had Captain Shantz not been relieved 
from his duties in connection with the camp prison and 
reassigned to us, we would have again been without a 
commanding officer. 

From the reports of truck operations overseas, it was 
found necessary to increase the personnel of each com- 
pany. Our roster was to contain 146 enlisted men, which 
increase in numbers made vacancies for several sergeants, 
corporals and wagoners, and every one put on the last 
pound of steam to step a grade higher. 

In the latter part of March we received our first as- 
signment of Nash Quads, the trucks that we were to use 
in our work overseas. There were many whispered con- 
sultations and predictions as to the efficiency of this pe- 
culiar wagon. These first ones were mainly for instruc- 
tion, and all of the drivers had an opportunity of becom- 
ing familiar with the trucks. 

Early in April the prospects for our overseas journey 
seemed very bright as our Supply Department had re- 
ceived minute instructions as to the stenciling and dimen- 
sions of our equipment. And we were rushed through 
numerous inspections preparatory to our leaving for the 
embarkation camp. At this time we received recruits to 
complete the filling of our ranks. Headquarters deemed 
it necessary for the Ammunition Train to be expert 
marksmen, so we hiked to our rifle range on the Vander- 
bilt Highway. Here we had our first and last target 

27 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

practice and we felt in our hearts, after our one and 
only trial, that we were now tried and true veterans. 

Great excitement prevailed when it was known that 
our final orders had been received, but there were many 
minor details yet to be performed. Our Quads were duly 
loaded for shipment and the company stood ready to 
leave. 

About noon on May 18 we made our last hike in Camp 
Wadsworth, going from our company street to Fair 
Forest. Here we entrained on the Southern Railroad 
for the coast. 



28 



Camp Stuart 

And The Trip Across 

The rather long ride from Spartanburg to Camp 
Stuart was made much pleasanter by the kind ladies of 
the Red Cross who gave us apples, candy, and cigarettes 
at many of the stations. After our night in cramped 
quarters we were somewhat stiff next morning, but ar- 
rived early and were quickly marched to very good quar- 
ters. We were put under quarantine, with orders not 
to leave our block. 

Life at Camp Stuart was not very interesting and 
some of the time the weather was exceedingly hot. Here 
some of us saw our folks for the last time before going 
overseas. After two weeks of sitting around it became 
very tiresome, to say the least. We drilled some and 
sang a few times in the very warm sunshine under the 
direction of the Y. M. C. A. 

After about two weeks the orders came to leave and 
we carefully made up our rolls and packs. The cots were 
piled up in the corner of the barracks, everything well 
cleaned, and we fell in in full marching order. After wait- 
ing around a while we started off down the road towards 
the docks. We were off for the boats, but alas ! Suddenly 
we saw the head of the long column turn and start back 
and soon all of us were on our way back to our barracks. 
The orders had been changed, so back we went to the old 
quarters. Soon every one was sitting around in the bar- 
racks looking at one another, and such a disgusted bunch 
of fellows have seldom been seen. The cots were put up 
again and we settled down for another tiresome wait. 

SI 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

On June 13 we marched out again, and this time it 
v/as not a false alarm. At the docks the Red Cross ladies 
gave us coffee and cookies, and, sad to relate, this was 
the last time we were to have their cheerful and encaur- 
aging presence for many months. We boarded the Eng- 
lish boat the Czar, and Company C was quartered in the 
forward steerage section, down below the water line. The 
Czar had been at one time a Russian immigrant steamer, 
and the odors, familiar and unfamiliar, were simply hor- 
rible. Luckily the weather was warm, so most of us 
slept on deck, going down to our quarters as infrequently 
as possible. 

Soon after we went on board we swung out into the 
harbor near the other ships of the convoy. We stayed 
in the harbor that night, steaming out about noon next 
day. As we left the harbor rows of little submarine 
chasers met us and ran beside the ships the first day out. 

Each ship had its guns and gun crews. About 10 
A. M. the first morning out suddenly the guns let go with 
a great racket, and there was a rush for the deck. All 
the ships were shooting at one spot, and we looked hard 
trying to see what the rumpus was all about. It was 
actually a submarine which had come up just to one side 
of the convoy. However, the visitor received such an 
uproarious welcome from the guns and depth charges 
that she made a very hurried exit. 

We had a beautiful trip across as far as weather was 
concerned. Some other things did not rank as high as 
the calm weather though, especially the meals. They 
were by far the very worst in all our army experience, 

32 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

the stuff being either rotten or spoiled in the cooking. 
The result indicated that it was perhaps both. The trip 
over with our English allies was not one to make our 
love for them flourish; they cheated us from the day we 
started until we arrived. 

After a week on the water we were getting rather tired 
of the watery view, but it was not until the thirteenth 
day that we sighted land, and in the late afternoon the 
Czar anchored in the harbor of Brest. After some time 
lighters pulled along side and we were soon delighted to 
be standing on the soil of France. It is a question, how- 
ever, whether we were happiest in being in France at 
last or in quitting the Czar. 



33 



The Arrival in France 

On June 27, 1918, after having been taken ashore in 
lighters, we lined up by companies along the wharves 
of Brest, and marched off up the long hill leading out of 
the town. Who will ever forget that hill or that hike? 
After thirteen days of lying around on the boat we were 
in poor condition, especially on account of the rotten 
food. We marched to Napoleon's Barracks, but as they 
were all full we continued on into the country. Finally 
when we were about exhausted, a halt was called and we 
pitched pup tents in an open field. No advance arrange- 
ments had been made, so we had no meal that night. 

In the Brest region the men made the acquaintance 
of the famous vin blanc and vin rouge. The weather was 
delightful and we were all greatly pleased to get on land 
again and to have some food that could be eaten after 
awful rations on the boat. 

After five days in the Brest region we marched down 
to the wharves one morning, starting about 3 A. M. Ar- 
riving there, we were lined up beside a long line of small, 
dirty looking French freight cars. Then we piled into 
them, forty to a car, with our boxes of rations. This 
was our initial introduction to a very popular method of 
travel in France during the war — "40 hommes, 8 chev> 
aux" — forty men or eight horses to a freight car. It 
seemed about twenty too many, but so things go in army 
life. C'est la guerre. Notwithstanding the discomforts 
the ride that day was beautiful indeed. The country ap- 
peared very strange and different to us and wonderfully 
interesting. 

35 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

That night we fully realized the limitation of our box 
car. There was not room for all to half lie down at 
once, so some of us took turns at sitting on our provision 
boxes in the center of the car. We were traveling south 
through the beautiful chateau district of France. We 
passed through Nantes and the next evening reached Bor- 
deaux. Not far outside this city we left our cramped 
quarters. Then came one of our hardest hikes in France. 
Five miles of uphill work at a slow and jerky pace, and 
after the cramped trip it certainly was not fun. At last 
we reached Camp de Souge and after plodding along at 
least a mile further, were given a place to rest our weary 
bones. 

Next day was the Fourth of July. We rested that day 
and a few days more, but then a schedule of our day's 
duties was posted. From then on we arose in the dark- 
ness, stood reveille at 6 and started in at 7 on our daily 
rounds of gas mask drills, drilling, signaling, and lec- 
tures on engines and shells. A month passed and we 
still kept at our schedule ; with some variations, however, 
afforded by the new job of fighting fires. That was a 
volunteer job once — just once — and from then on a de- 
tail to be missed if possible. 

At the gate of Camp de Souge was located our shop- 
ping district for fierce wine, canned goods, and fruit. 
There were many gayly ornamented booths, the owners 
of which, by the prices, thought our incomes must have 
been enormous. And who will ever forget the little town 
of Saint Medard and especially the long walk back to 
camp, after eating all one could hold and drinking a 
great deal too much? 

36 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

To make us realize the value of the gas mask we ha-i 
to go into a gas chamber. It accomplished its purpose 
without the least shadow of a doubt, and we will never 
forget how our famous gas sergeant came through the 
barracks before daylight giving gas alarm. We were 
obliged to -dress with gas masks on. 

Towards the last of August the tiresome range de- 
tail came into being and soon afterwards rumors came 
that our move north was near at hand. At last the final 
orders came for the Horse Battalion to go by train and 
the Motor Battalion overland iii their trucks. Our train- 
ing in France was at an end. 



37 
















.£::.;^U 







MAP OF OUR TRIP NORTH 



The Trip North 

From Bordeaux to The Front 

On September 7, about 10 A. M., after piling com- 
pany boxes and our packs and rolls into the trucks, we 
all climbed aboard. The four motor companies went out 
in sections, a few hundred yards between each section, 
eleven trucks to a company. We went through the cen- 
ter of Bordeaux and then turned north, on a wonderful 
trip through one of the most beautiful sections of France. 
The sun shone as we rode along, the trucks keeping far 
enough apart to avoid the dust, making it delightful 
riding. It was like a huge picnic, and we cheered and 
sang until we were tired out. Passing through the small 
towns and villages the people would line the streets as 
we went by and wave and call to us. We were in the 
grape country, and the people threw us large juicy 
bunches of that fruit along with bouquets of flowers. 
The French thus showed their gratitude to us, les Ameri- 
caines, representatives of the great host from across the 
sea, that had come to their assistance in a time of peril. 

Our first night was spent in the little town of Bar- 
bezieux, where we arrived around 8 o'clock. We were 
billeted two or three to a house, and it happened to be 
the first time any soldiers had ever been billeted there. 
The people were very much interested in the Americans, 
and exceedingly agreeable. At the homes where the men 
stayed the people gave them wine and tried, as far as 
the difficulties in talking would permit, to give them a 
good time. Our kitchens were set up in the main square 
and the majority of the women of the town appeared to 
take a keen interest in the army method and style of 
getting a meal. The men undoubtedly made an impres- 
sion on the town's supply of wine, but, not having the 
three-horse companies with us, there was no disorder. 

39 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

This was our first real contact with French people who 
had not been spoiled by living too close to an American 
camp. The men were almost universally surprised and 
delighted with the treatment they received, and as we 
pulled out next morning we felt as though we were saying 
good-bye to some very good friends of ours. 

The second day was like the first, fruit and flowers, 
cheering and singing. After a whik every truck was 
decked with bouquets and nearly every man had a flower 
in his cap. Our procession was rather long, of course, 
and after the first section had passed the people were all 
out waiting for the rest. One kittle girl we passed that 
day was holding up one weary arm with the other, but 
still bravely waving her hand to each truck. 

As no real disorder took place, we were given our 
entire liberty each night, and the men had many humor- 
ous experiences with their hostesses. The greatest diffi- 
culty, that of the language, was the only thing which 
prevented the people presenting us with the whole town. 

The weather continued fine and we were enjoying 
ourselves immensely. Monday afternoon we passed the 
town of Poitiers, made famous by one of the fifteen de- 
cisive battles of the world. It was near here that in 732 
Charles Martel, King of France, defeated the invading 
army of the Saracens and therby probably saved Europe 
from Mohammedan domination. 

Tuesday night we reached the famous town of Orleans. 
Here we drove into the wide square inside a permanent 
French military training station. We deposited our lug- 
gage in one of the huge barracks which surrounded the 
square and then started out to see the place made fa- 
mous by Joan of Arc. We all saw the statue of that re- 
nowned heroine and many of the fellows made acquaint- 
ances among the present mademoiselles of the town. We 
stayed over Wednesday in the city, the trucks being 

41 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

greased the next morning, and more sightseeing was 
done that afternoon and evening. Beaucoup vin blanc and 
vin rouge was absorbed, but although the fellows did 
their best to make it temporarily a dry place, they were 
badly worsted, and looked it. Some had a hard time in 
locating their respective hotels or the barracks after the 
fight to make the town dry. 

Our next stop was Sens, a fine little place, just south 
of Paris. Here we were ushered into small wooden bar- 
racks with cots. We soon discovered, however, that the 
place was alive with cooties and nearly everyone pro- 
ceeded to find quarters elsewhere in the town. Our com- 
pany furnished a very efficient force of M. P.'s that night, 
all the cafes in town pronouncing them tres bon soldats. 
No one was allowed to enter the establishments, but 
everyone knows that drinking in the open is nothing new 
in France, so the rules were not broken when the tables 
were outdoors. 

From Sens we went to Lignol, through a beautiful 
section of the country. The people continued to come out 
and wave to us, and their welcome and kindness was al- 
v^ays the very best possible. Lignol consisted of only a 
few houses, and our life of ease and comfort received a 
bad shock here as we were quartered in barns and lofts. 
After those deep French beds, the planks were harder 
than they otherwise would have been. 

The next day, Saturday, dawned sunshiny and beau- 
tiful. As we lined up to leave, the sun shone down the 
valley on Bayel, a little town which had been badly 
bombed in 1916. The inhabitants were just beginning 
to come back, and thin wreaths of smoke were curling 
up from two or three of the old stone houses. We pulled 
out bright and early on this, our last day of riding. By 
late afternoon we reached Bar-le-Duc, which lies south of 
Verdun, about twenty miles from the front. 



42 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

The town was full of soldiers of all nationalities, who 
crowded the cafes and the stores. Here we saw the ef- 
fects of German bombs and also two or three large and 
spacious bomb proofs. Many of the fellows have a fond 
memory for the place on account of the most excellent 
beer that was to be had there. Our wonderful trip had 
been hard on finances, and many of the last francs were 
here turned over for this favorite beverage. We were 
quartered that night in very comfortable French bar- 
racks. 

Sunday was spent in Bar-le-Duc, and happily all the 
cafes and stores were open, so- that our last day behind 
the front was a very enjoyable one. We were scheduled 
to leave at 10 that evening, but it was almost mid- 
night before we started out on the final stretch of our 
journey to the front. 



43 



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MAP OF OUR SECTOR AT THE FRONT 
X'S INDICATE LOCATIONS OF OUR CAMP AT DIFFERENT TIMES 



At The Front 

It would be a difficult matter to give a clear descrip- 
tion of our thoughts as we piled into our trucks at 11 
P. M., September 15, on the final lap of our journey to 
the front. We can safely say that curiosity was fore- 
most in our minds and little of fear, for though our 
imaginations were great, we were ignorant of what we 
were coming to. 

Never before had we seen such a congested road as 
the one we traversed that nighl ; there was a continuous 
stream of trucks moving in each direction. The drivers 
were warned upon departing from Bar-le-Duc to observe 
convoy rules strictly, especially to use no lights and to 
keep a thirty-yard interval. We had not proceeded far, 
however, before a ten-yard distance between trucks was 
ordered, otherwise the trucks would have become lost 
and no progress made. Even at this interval we soon 
became intermingled with the "Frogs" and our own men 
began to race between one another for places in the con- 
voy, not knowing who the other drivers might be. The 
men became better acquainted with the army language 
on that midnight ride. 

More interesting than this, however, was our view 
from a distance of the front. The flares, rockets and 
flames from the guns lit the horizon and were only too 
distinct. However, toward morning the famous road to 
Verdun had mostly cleared of other vehicles, making our 
progress smoother, and with our curiosity wearing off 
we began to wish for some sleep. 

Just at the break of day we parked the trucks in an 
open field and camouflaged them with green branches 
from nearby trees. This was a new task to us, but we 
did it well, if quantity is the art of camouflage. We 
marched to long French barracks which bordered on our 

45 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

truck park. Here we secured a welcome wash and some 
much needed rest. Toward evening we again loaded into 
our trucks and left at five minute intervals for a wood 
one-half mile distant. 

Company C had a hard time getting a place to pitch 
pup tents, and by the time it was finally decided where 
we would line up darkness had fallen, A few sad at- 
tempts were made to pitch a tent, but most of them ended 
in failure, and we made ourselves as comfortable as we 
could by rolling in our blankets in the trucks or under the 
trees. 

Our sleep that night was far from peaceful. At 10 
o'clock we were startled by the sharp command, "Get 
those horses in the shadow of the wood ; enemy planes." 
And then we discerned the unsteady drone of an air- 
plane motor unlike any we had ever heard before. Im- 
mediately following this was a crash, accompanied by a 
deafening explosion of a bomb or "ash can," as we soon 
came to term them. From then on, excitement reigned 
and grew higher with the explosions of more bombs. 

Suddenly the dreaded cry, "Gas!" came; then all rec- 
ords were broken for quick movements into the masks. 
"Hell, where is my gas mask," "Get out of my way. I 
can't find my mask," "Have you my gas mask?" "Where 
in hell is Daymont, I've lost my mask." Pup tents were 
torn down in the scuffle and confusion. The purr of 
plane motors and the put-put-put of the machine guns 
resounded from the moon-lit sky. All sorts of things 
imaginable, and more, were heard in that few minutes 
(seemingly hours) of front line life in that eventful first 
night. 

Most of the following day was spent in digging 
trenches for protection in case of shell fire. Just as we 
had completed them the next day we were moved to an 
adjoining wood. These woods were located just outside 



46 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

of Balecourt. It was at this time we learned that the 
52d Brigade was to support the 33d Division instead of 
our own. From here we started making our trips to the 
front on the Frommerville sector, supplying the batteries 
at La Claire and Charny, as well as making one trip to 
the reserve infantry trenches with 30.30 ammunition. 

Our first trips were made at night, no one being al- 
lowed on the road in daylight. The first few times were 
uneventful, but as everything was new we were badly 
startled a good many times. The M. P.'s were great 
little boys to give a scare. The hill outside of Frommer- 
ville was under direct enemy observation and they were 
wont to caution us in this manner, "Keep 300 yard inter- 
vals between trucks. This morning a train was blown 
to hell on top of that hill." Then they would proceed to 
start you off at twenty yard intervals and by the time 
you reached the summit all were bunched together. 

Towns levelled to the ground were not at all consoling 
nor were frequent shell holes in the road. There were 
not many trips made before all realized that it was work 
and not play. The wagoner soon discovered that wheel- 
ing a "Quad" in the rain, cold and damp was just about 
the toughest job he ever ran across. If he was lucky he 
had an assistant who did a share of the driving. 

The "buck" private soon learned that handling 75's 
and 155's was far different from herding cattle on Texas 
plains or pushing a pen in a New York skyscraper. Find- 
ing our way to Frommerville (Division Headquarters), 
Germonville (dump), La Claire, Charny, and Chattan- 
court at first was like solving a Chinese puzzle, but the 
trips became so frequent it was soon second nature to us. 

On September 24 we again moved, going to still an- 
other wood on the opposite side of Balecourt. Half of 
the company found shelter in a dilapidated barrack and 
stables, while the balance pitched tents. It was here we 



47 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

became aware of something big to come. Each day saw 
more cannon going into place in the surrounding hills 
and ammunition being massed at the batteries, so we 
naturally sensed a big drive. It started September 26, 
and was to last until the signing of the armistice. The 
last offensive, everyone called it, and thank God, such it 
proved to be. 

The great barrage preceding it opened at 11 :30 
on the night of September 25, and from that hour on 
there was no doubt in our minds about the magnitude of 
it. The sky was illuminated with the incessant flaming 
and flashing of the 3,500 guns, but it was all music to our 
ears. We had been informed that this was the greatest 
artillery preparation ever known and it was needed, for 
"Jerry" had been in his well fortified positions for three 
years. Concrete trenches could never withstand that 
incessant hail of iron, however, and though our brigade 
was prepared to fire seventy -two hours, eleven hours was 
sufficient to start the Boches toward the Rhine. The long 
range guns continued to harass them constantly though, 
and well did we realize it, for the two monster 14-inch 
guns at Balecourt sent over one every fifteen minutes and 
at each discharge our barracks trembled like a leaf. 

On September 26 we made our first trip over the roads 
in daylight, carrying ammunition from Nixeville to Chat- 
toncourt by way of Chary and Marne. At least a dozen 
observation balloons were in the air all that day and 
were the object of attack from many enemy planes. While 
passing along the road between Charny and Marne two 
were shot down almost over our heads. The two enemy 
planes then flew over our train at a low altitude, empty- 
ing their machine guns at the earth. Oh yes, we prayed 
considerably. We never before realized what a big battle 
meant. 



48 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

The woods were packed with guns, caissons, dough- 
boys on their way to and from the lines, trucks loaded 
with rations or ammunition, mule teams, ambulances 
and many prisoners. In a way it was humorous to see a 
lone M. P. coming along with a couple of hundred pris- 
oners and usually at the head of the column at that. It 
was surely nervous work though to stand on the road for 
three hours as we did at Chattancourt waiting for an open- 
ing through the congested roads with shells bursting with- 
in seventy-five yards at half minute intervals. Though 
our barracks and pup tents were the last place you could 
think of for comfort, they were a veritable paradise after 
such long trips as these. From the start of the drive 
until the end the trucks worked continuously, the men 
being divided into two shifts, and one was fortunate if 
he got much sleep. 

On October 7 we moved to La Claire and had dugouts 
to live in. Some were dark, but on the whole they were 
fairly comfortable. We at least felt secure from "Jerry's" 
disconcerting air attacks or stray shells. 

The lack of tobacco and writing materials must be 
mentioned here. Our only means of getting tobacco was 
the issue, which was far from adequate — two packages 
a week, which usually disappeared in a couple of days, 
As it rained practically all the time it was a hard propo- 
sition to roll a cigarette. If one succeeded in making one, 
three or four men usually divided a smoke. 

Wood was another scarce article — anything we could 
lay our hands on going into the stoves, but the starting of 
the fire was made easy by the lavish use of powder, al- 
ways available. We continued to make our trips from 
here, which by this time all began to seem the same. Each 
trip of course carried some special memory, such as the 
ones over Forges Hill, or like the one in which we were 
obliged to wait for two hours, due to heavy shelling, be- 



49 



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FRENCHMEN IN VERDUN 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

fore crossing Consenvoye Bridge. All these were heavy 
strains on the nerves and endurance. Pages of interest- 
ing experiences and sights could be filled, but space will 
not permit. Mention must be made, however, of one rare 
sight of more than 100 airplanes in the air at one time, 
and of the individual air battles, one of which occurred 
directly over one of our camps. Our next move was to 
that most historic city — Verdun. 

Verdun 

We left La Claire on Tuesday, October 22, and pro- 
ceeded in our trucks to Fauburg Pave, just outside of the 
gates of Verdun, where we were billeted in French bar- 
racks, some of which were very badly shot up from the 
four years continuous shelling of the city. 

While we were there "Fritz" still persisted in shelling 
the place, not so much or so fast as in the past, but 
enough to let us know that he was still over the hill. 

It was plain to be seen that Verdun was a finely for- 
tified city and had been a very beautiful one before it be- 
came a target for the Hun. It was completely surrounded 
by a wall and mote, and at each entrance it had a draw- 
bridge. On one of these was inscribed the words, "On ne 
passe pas." They shall not pass. 

Within the city was a very large citadel, a valuable 
protection under the old methods of warfare, but not so 
good in modern times, but it served as a very good place 
for the storage of supplies. 

The city itself showed awful effects of the terrific 

51 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

shell fire which it had suffered for four long years. There 
was not a building which had not been hit by a shell or 
by flying shrapnel. However, our barracks were in a 
very good position, being directly under the brow of the 
hill which stood between the Huns and Verdun. These 
were the most comfortable quarters we had been m, ai 
the front, as we all had bunks and nearly every room had 
a little stove. We were allowed to visit Verdun often, in 
which places were both an American and French Q. M. 
and a Y. M. C. A. When we came to this area we were 
told that we had come there for a rest. We rested four 
days and again started our work of transporting ammu- 
nition to the battery positions. 

We now worked on the east side of the Meuse River, 
which the Americans had crossed after a hard fight. We 
found the roads to be much better than any we had trav- 
ersed at the front. Every truck was in constant use for 
we were advancing very fast, and in many cases the 
ammunition had to be carried ahead with the artillery. 

Ever since we had come to Verdun there were con- 
stant rumors of the war's ending, an armistice, etc., and 
when on Sunday, November 10, we heard that the armi- 
stice would commence on Monday, November 11, we could 
not believe it. It seemed too good to be true. So we 
waited and hoped and the cannonading seemed greater, 
and we thought, "Oh, nothing to it, only another rumor." 
But when at 11 o'clock the guns ceased firing, joy and 
real hope were in the hearts of the men that the long war 
had come to a victorious close at last. The fight for 
democracy had been a success. 

53 




MESS IN BE-LLERAY 
CHASING THE "COOTIES" IN MONTSURS 



After The Armistice 

After the armistice the trucks went to the front a 
few times, but soon were turned over to the Army of 
Occupation and we were a motorized company no longer. 
We were dehghted to see them go, for then we knew our 
greasing days were over and, what was more encourag- 
ing, the chances for going home looked brighter. 

Before November 11 Verdun had been nearly de- 
serted, but now it became suddenly alive with men. This 
resulted from the fact that Verdun was made a receiving 
point for returned prisoners. The prisoners came in 
alone, two or three together, sometimes forty or fifty 
men together, or perhaps even a thousand. Frenchmen,. 
Englishmen, Italians, Belgians, Americans and Russians. 
It was all too easy to distinguish the ones who had been 
in Germany for a long time by their thin and sickly ap- 
pearance. One of the large barracks next to ours was 
filled up with two or three thousand Russians. They were 
huge, bearded men, ragged and hungry. During our meals 
they came around waiting for us to finish and then took 
the leavings from our mess kits and ate like hungry dogs. 
We were able to give them much tobacco, which they 
were extremely thankful to get. We American souvenir 
hunters were keen after their buttons, consequently many 
a poor Russian had not a single button left on his coat, so 
willing were they to give us whatever they had. They 
seemed like big, gentle, unoffending children. 

Verdun had been badly battered and torn by the war, 
but soon after the 11th, signs of returning life came creep- 
ing back. First, it was a few small street lamps, after 
that putting in new telephone wires was started, and at 
the same time work was begun repairing the railroads. 

On November 26 we moved down to Belleray, just 
south of Verdun. This was our first hike in a long time, 



00 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

but luckily it was not very far. The great event of 
Belleray was, undoubtedly, the fire. It was a fierce fire 
and the town charged the United States enough in dam- 
ages to pay for every building within a radius of three 
kilometres, so it seemed to us. After we had done con- 
siderable digging and thoroughly cleaned the town, we 
moved on. Getting up at 4 A. M., we marched down to 
Dugny and had plenty of time to catch our train, which 
left around 9 that evening. 

The trip from Dugny to La Chapelle was the worst 
of our experience in the "Side-door Pullmans." Three 
nights and two days on the train with our old friends 
Corned Willy, beans, and tomatoes. During the day we 
relieved the monotony somewhat by riding on the flat 
cars. However, the intermittent rain made that rather 
uncertain. After the third night we arrived about 8 
A. M. at our destination. What a stiff and weary crowd 
we were! It was then necessary to march to Montsurs, 
about seven miles away. We were carrying full packs 
with many souvenirs besides, and after three nights in 
exceedingly cramped quarters and little sleep, it was no 
wonder that many fell out of ranks on the hike. When 
we at last reached the town of Montsurs, which was to 
be our home, it was with great joy that we unslung our 
packs. 

The first day in Montsurs the place seemed very large 
and busy, accustomed as we were to seeing no civilians 
around at all. What a run there was on the stores, and 
soon all the butter and the delicious honey were sold out. 
We cleaned ourselves, our equipment, and the billets and 
settled down for a ten day stay — so we thought. At 
first the days passed rapidly, soon it was Christmas, but 
as yet no signs of leaving ! 

On Christmas Day we had a special goose dinner in 
the Hotel Lion D'Or. Many preparations had been made 

56 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

by the cooks and it was a meal long to be remembered. 
That evening in the town chapel our chaplain gave us a 
short entertainment; we sang, there were speeches, and 
gifts from the Y. M. C. A. It was hard to realize that 
it was really Christmas for the fields were green and 
vegetables were growing in the gardens. Many of us 
went to the big church that night for the Midnight Mass. 
It is an old custom for all the people in the town and of 
the surrounding countryside to come. The occasion was 
very interesting indeed to the Americans. Just at mid- 
night the 104th Artillery Band, which had come up and 
was outside the church, played a few hymns, including 
''America," which sounded very beautiful. 

We had many strong rumors around New Years that 
the 27th Division, including ourselves, was to sail Janu- 
ary 10. However, the 10th came and went and still we 
sat around Montsurs, thinking of the United States, and 
passing the time as best we could with rumors in the air 
all the time. 

The townspeople were exceedingly kind to us and 
naturally we made many good friends among them. The 
cafes did a larger business than ever before, especially 
around pay day. All the stores and tailor shops were 
affected in a similar manner, and the town was undoubt- 
edly taking in more money than in many years. 

Many of the surrounding towns were often visited 
by those looking for amusement, or a good bath. Mont- 
surs could not boast of a bath tub. Who will forget 
what an exciting place Laval was, along about 4 
in the afternoon? However, the haughty Russian offi- 
cers there, unlike the returned prisoners we had seen, 
afforded some amusement. They say a Russian "fell 
off" the bridge into the river one night, which seemed 
to make the rest considerably less haughty. 

After we had given up believing rumors of any kind, 

58 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

the final welcome orders came at last, and we prepared 
to leave. This time we were allowed two duffle bags to a 
squad, which helped reduce the size and weight of our 
packs somewhat. On the morning of February 25 we 
lined up by companies along Montsurs' main street, or 
rather Grand Rue, and marched out with the band lead- 
ing. All the people were out to see us go, and we felt 
that we were leaving many good friends. Once more 
we hiked to La Chapelle, but as we had not been sleeping 
in box cars for three nights it was not nearly as hard 
going as on our arrival. 

The ride to Brest was the best we had had in box 
cars. For once we were not too crowded, and everyone 
was able to lie down at the same time and sleep. So 
when we arrived in Brest next morning everybody was 
feeling full of pep and happy. 



59 



In The Rain at Brest 

Elated by thought of the end, cheering, bantering 
words with M, P.'s and such others as were around, Com- 
pany C pulled into Brest about 9 in the morning 
of February 26, 1919. 'Twas there that we made our 
acquaintance with the celebrated rain of Brest, and it 
seemed to like us so well that it could not be shaken off. 
In fact, most of us were soaked nearly all the time from 
then on. We were given a good meal and then started 
on the hike up the big hill. This time we were not led 
astray by the words ''Rest Camp" on the signboard. We 
had believed that once before. 

As we went along we noticed the big changes that 
had taken place since our last visit. Immense barracks 
had been built and hundreds of tents erected. It was 
not the quiet sunny Brest of the June before. By this 
time it was pouring, and according to time honored cus- 
tom, we were taken to the very last bunch of tents. How- 
ever, they had wooden floors and stoves, and they sure 
did look good to us. 

The meals pleased us greatly. There was always plenty 
to eat and plenty of variety. But if it was not raining 
when we went to meals it was sure to pour before we 
came back. The first detail came the next morning. We 
went out and changed around some duck boards and in 
the afternoon dug foundations for houses, always in the 
everlasting rain. If rain seems to predominate right 
here please excuse it because it certainly did predominate 
at Brest. The next day we built tent walls and in the 

61 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

afternoon came the detail of details. We carried tent 
floors, each weighing around 500 pounds, to their respec- 
tive places. As there were only twelve men to a board, 
we could hardly walk home by the time we finished the 
job. 

Sunday afternoon we made the usual false start, and 
after the packs had all been made, our departure was 
postponed till the next morning. But then we really did 
start, and once more we hiked the five miles, still in the 
rain, to the docks. After very little delay we boarded 
a lighter and went out to the boat that was to take us 
across the sea and home. Good-bye "A. E. F." 

We embarked on the Mount Vernon, the old North 
German Lloyd liner Kronprinzessin Cecile, on March 3, 
1919. Speaking of Heaven, the minute we were located 
an immediate rush of the canteen was started that lasted 
until everything was sold out, the day before we landed. 
It was hard to believe, real candy and as much as one 
wanted. The weather was a bit rough the first two days 
out, but soon it became calmer and as almost everybody 
got their sea legs we had an enjoyable trip. The two 
daily meals took up a good deal of time, and what a bat- 
tle it was to get into the famous "fourth sitting." 

Early on March 11 we pulled into Hoboken. Some of 
us even went without breakfast to take a look at Madem- 
oiselle Liberty. We were greeted with a sure 'nough 
"jazz" band and a bevy of Red Cross nurses and Salva- 
tion Army girls, not to mention the Welcome Commit- 
tee's marvelous craft sent out by the Mayor. 



63 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

We disembarked that morning, and then Company C 
received the happy news that they were to police up the 
boat. So we all filed back on the ship and after working 
a couple of hours we again got off and were given bis- 
cuits and coffee by the A. R. C, and chocolate and candy 
by the Salvation Army. After that we loaded on a small 
boat which took us to Weehawken. There we boarded a 
train to Camp Merritt and at last we were really in the 
good old U. S. A. 

The joy of our homecoming was marred, however, by 
the death, the night before we landed, of one of the 
finest fellows in the company, Corporal George Banning 
of Rochester, N. Y. 



64 




VIEW ON FIFTH AVENUE DURING THE 27TH DIVISION PARADE 



Last Days of Company C 

The Parade, Camp Upton, axd Discharge 

Contrary to precedent, the day for our leaving Camp 
Merritt proved to be warm and fair, and incidentally, 
even more contrary to precedent, this was our first time 
to have regrets on leaving any post. Camp Merritt is a 
camp of comfort, convenience and good eats. 

With our usual luck, we marched out of camp at 7 
A. M. and crossed the Palisades to Alpine Landing, only 
to find that we would have to wait a few hours before we 
could embark on the ferry for New York. By ferry and 
then by elevated we reached the Eighth Coast Defense 
Armory about 3 in the afternoon. There we left 
our equipment and were free until 7 A. M. Tuesday morn- 
ing. Full advantage was taken by all and save for a few 
greenhorns, everyone was on hand to fall in with our 
featherweight show packs and "tin derbys" the next 
morning. 

The subway took us to Broadway and Fourteenth 
Street and from there we went to Thirteenth Street, be- 
tween Sixth and Seventh Avenues, where we formed at 
about nine o'clock. Eats and kidding passed away the 
time until we were fallen in with platoon front about 
twelve o'clock for the big event. A few steps at a time 
finally brought us to Fifth Avenue at one-fifteen, and we 
were off up the Avenue. 

Between crowds on either side, which the cops could 
not hold back, we marched at varying paces. Indeed the 
paces varied from mark time to double time. So much 



67 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

distance had been lost by those in advance of us that the 
prescribed rests were omitted and with great discomfort 
we ran from Twenty -third Street to Twenty-seventh, then 
from Thirty-fourth to Forty-second and later again dou- 
ble time for a block or two. 

The magnificence of the decorations and the size and 
enthusiasm of the crowd made the parade of the 27th Di- 
vision, of which Company C was a part, a wonderful 
event. Such an immense and continuous crowd we had 
never seen and probably will never see again. All our 
friends were in the stands along by Ninety-second Street, 
and they gave us a great welcome as we passed by. The 
pleasure of the occasion was rather lost for us through 
the necessity of the double timing, for we covered the dis- 
tance in a little over half of the prescribed time. Our 
gratitude to the Captain for cutting down to quick time 
our longest sprinting contest, will not soon be forgotten. 
We will never forget the royal reception given us all along 
the line of march and that enormous crowd. 

After the parade we went up to the Armory, made up 
our packs for the following day, and were told to report 
back at 8 o'clock next morning. 

Wednesday we got away in good time, but it was 4 
o'clock before we reached Upton, and as usual marched to 
the barracks the farthest from the railroad. Not having 
any noon meal the cry, "When do we eat?" was taken up, 
even before we found our quarters. Our stay here was a 
very restless period, for there was little to do and few 
places to go. Some of the time was taken up by lectures 
and now and then we were called upon to sign various 

68 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

papers. The mess fund was used up in buying special 
eats which helped out several of the meals in fine style. 

On Monday, March 31, all the men from Rochester 
marched away for a special parade in that city, cutting 
the company down about half. Thursday we got up at 4 
A. M. in order to get an early start. Around 7:30 we 
marched down to Camp Headquarters, where we were 
paid off. Then away we went to the station and after the 
tickets had been purchased the long looked-forward-to 
discharges were given out. At last we were free men! 
The great adventure was over and we were going back to 
our homes and to our friends. 



i^rih, 




70 



Roster of Company C 

Captain Alson Shantz, Pittsford, N. Y. 

Lieutenant Thomas Madigan, 85 Linwood Street, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Ralph R. Abbott, Pompton Lakes, N. J. 

Roger H. Abbott, Mineral Wells, Tex. 

Harrison Allen, Logansport, La. 

Howard E. Aller, 618 Midland Avenue, Syracuse, 
New York. 

Frank L Alliger, 81 Clinton Street, Tonawanda, N. Y. 

Wallace J. Balding, 36 North Street, Geneseo, N. Y. 

Frank H. Battle, Manlius, N. Y. 

William A. Bechtel, 334 Grand Avenue, Johnson City, 
New York. 

Percy R. Billington, 19 Natoma Street, Rye, N. Y. 

Milton M. Blum, 210 West 146th Street, New York 
City. 

Claude S. Britt, Medina, N. Y. 

Lloyd L. Brown, Spencerport, N. Y. 

George H. Broyles, 1113 Green Street, Palestine, Tex. 

William M. Carter, 7 Bond Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

August H. Chomas, 1265 Willoughby Avenue, Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. 

Harold W. Church, 118 Kenwood Avenue, Rochester. 
New York. 

Edward J. Cloud, Rule, Tex. 

Dwight J. Clute, Medina, N. Y. 

Cyril E. Cochran, 17 Vernon Avenue, Batavia, N. Y. 

WiUiam E. Colligan, 318 West Fifty-first Street, New 
York City. 

Charles P. Connors, care Howe & Rogers, Rochester, 
New York. 

Derwood E. Covill, 6 Livingston Park, Rochester, 
New York. 

William H. Davies, Norton, New Mexico. 

81 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

Laurence J. Daymont, New York Mills, N. Y. 

Fidele Denoo, 51 Woodward Street, Rochester, N, Y. 

Marinis DeReu, 602 Hayward Avenue, Rochester, 
New York. 

Walter H. Derry, 15 Fifth Street, Newark, N. J. 

Harry T. Devens, 231 East Seventh Street, Oswego, 
New York. 

Andrew J. Dinnen, 499 St. Paul Place, Bronx, N. Y. 

Berthold B. Dittfurth, Runge, Tex. 

Harold S. Doane, 133 Clinton Avenue S., Rochester, 
N.Y. 

George F. Doherty, 403 Walnut Street, West Ho- 
boken, N, J. 

Walton S. Donahue, Northport, L. I., N. Y. 

Godfrey W. Douthwaite, 157 Bayes Avenue, Buffalo, 
New York. 

William T. Doyle, 27 Iroquois Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

James H. Easlick, 817 East Fayette Street, Syra- 
cuse, N. Y. 

Pinkney M. Eidson, Long Island, S. C. 

Louis R. Erckert, 101 Exeter Terrace, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Ralph S. Excell, Greene, N. Y. 

John Fairbairn, 203 Cadwell Street, Syracuse, N. Y. 

John V. Felskowski, West Falls, N. Y. 

Ransford W. Furbeck, Johnsville, N. Y. 

Stanford V. Gamester, 319 West Forty-sixth Street, 
New York City. 

Clemens O. Gaul, 263 East Avenue, Lockport, N. Y. 

Arthur J. Gauthier, 15 Gardner Street, Whitesboro, 
New York. 

William Gfeller, 8 Gerling Place, Rochester, N. Y. 

Donald E. Goodling, 47 North Queen Street, York, Pa. 

Ernest Gordon, 211 North Perry Street, Johnstown, 
New York. 

James E. Gowdy, 187 Crescent Street, Long Island 
City, N. Y. 

82 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

William M. Gribbon, 1902 Beaver Avenue, Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa. 

Frank J. Grimes, 401 East Fiftieth Street, New York 
City. 

Carlos Guerguin, 108 City Street, San Antonio, Tex. 

George C. Hack, 150 Lilas Street, Syracuse, N. Y. 

Archie D. Handy, Hyannis, Mass. 

Lyle L. Hardman, Richburg, N. Y. 

George H. Heath, 5 Porter Place, Towanda, Pa. 

Charlie C. Henderson, Montalba, Tex. 

Russell L. Hill, Medina, N. Y. 

George Hillman, Tully, N. Y. 

Joseph P. Hoey, 49 Webster Street, Ridgefield Park, 
New Jersey. 

Percy Hopwood, 29 Claremont Avenue, New York 
City. 

Charles S. Hoyt, 127 South Eleventh Avenue, Mount 
Vernon, N. Y. 

Earle F. Huxley, Ontario, N. Y. 

Frederick E. Jackson, 2305 Eighty-fourth Street, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Fred C. Jacobsen, 1307 South Third Street, Nampa, 
Idaho. 

Elmer L. Johnson, Ontario, N. Y. 

James L. Johnson, Ripley, N. Y. 

Chester A. Jones, R. F. D. No. 3, Bryan, Tex. 

Charles W. Julin, 3928 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven, 
New York. 

William R. Kahn, 3129 Broadway, New York City. 

William S. Kearns, Sand Creek Road, R. F. D. Box 
220, West Albany, N. Y. 

Loftus G. Keebler, 26 Gates Street, Poughkeepsie, 
New York. 

Edward T. Kelly, 30 West Fourth Street, Oswego, 
New York. 



83 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

Harold H. Klein, 104 Southampton Street, Buffalo 
New York. 

William B. Kline, 252 West 115th Street, New York 
City, 

George G. Korittke, 206 Fourth Street, Jersey City, 
New Jersey. 

Lloyd A. Kotteker, Chapin, N. Y. 
.Edward Krasa, 2538 Hughes Street, Glendale, N. Y. 

Andrew D. Leslie, 236 Van Home Street, Jersey 
City, N. J. 

Benjamin C. Lovell, lOi/. Judd Street, Binghamton, 
New York. 

Frank R. Lund, 221 North Park Avenue, Buffalo, 
New York. 

Walter N. Maurer, 261 Warwick Avenue, Rochester, 
New York. 

Edward McCarthy, 606 West 137th Street, New York 
City. 

Kent E. Mendell, 504 East Jefferson Street, Syra- 
cuse, N. Y. 

William H. Merlin, 511 South Sheridan Avenue, Ta- 
coma. Wash. 

Chester F. Miller, 2147 Lake Avenue, Rochester, N. Y. 

Wilbert J. Miller, 375 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, 
New York. 

Raymond J. Mock, 15 Storz Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Leroy Monk, 44 Brinkman Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 

John T. Moorhead, 305 Madison Avenue, Albany, 
New York. 

Charlie W. Morrison, Dyke, Tex. 

Edward A. Moses, 107 Mary Street, Syracuse, N. Y. 

John J. Mulvaney, 172 Amsterdam Avenue, New York 
City. 

William J. Murphy, 20 Madison Street, Rochester, 
New York. 



84 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

Albert D. Osborn, 22d floor Woolworth building, 
New York City. 

John J. Otto, 247 Flower City Park, Rochester, N. Y. 

Edward Padian, care Frank Gannon, Supt. Mails Of- 
fice, General Post Office, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Jack B. Palmer, East Avenue, Pittsford, N. Y. 

Edmund F. Pearn, 205 Taffe Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Roy I. Philp, 8 Cayuga Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

Otto H. Plagens, Kurten, Tex. 

Roland H. Playfair, care Curtice Bros. Co., Roch- 
ester, N. Y. 

James A. Porcari, 391 Front Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Fred H. Prim, 1034 Millman Street, Peoria, 111. 

James P. Quackenbush, Fultonville, N. Y. 

James W. Reid, 242 Blaine Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Philip L. Reitz, 48 Tuxedo Place, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Floyd A. Riley, Westfield, N. Y. 

Bert J. Rogers, Fulton, N. Y. 

Samuel J. Rosenthal, 1026 Hoe Avenue, New York 
City. 

Leigh Rumbold, 153 Christiana Street, North Ton- 
awanda, N. Y, 

Orlando Rumbold, 102 Clinton Street, Tonawanda, 
New York. 

John B. Rumney, Elizabethtown, N. Y. 

Napoleon Saladiner, Bryan, Tex. 

Frank Savage, Skidmore, Tex. 

Ralph W. Schenken, 313 West Forty-first Street, 
Austin, Tex. 

William H. Schwalb, 92 Portland Avenue, Rochester, 
New York. 

Roy H. Scoby, Wills Point, Tex. 

Sylvester G. Shafer, 11 State Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

John H. Simone, 105 Court Street, Newark, N. J. 

Philip Sittel, 358 West Fifty-third Street, New York 
City. 

85 



HISTORY OF COMPANY C 

David A. Slaughter, 805 Front Street, Orange, Tex. 

Henry J. Slezak, 117 Zenner Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Joseph Smith, San Antonio, Tex. 

Charles C. Snyder, 861 Prospect Avenue, Buffalo, 
New York. 

Wallace C. Speers, 345 Fifth Avenue, New York City. 

Werner Spitz, 674 Linden Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

Frank S. Spitzig, 148 Riley Street, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Henry H. Steacy, 133 East Philadelphia Street, York, 
Pennsylvania. 

James W. Sutton, Lima, Tex. 

David W. Tennant, 650 Main Street, Hartford, Conn. 

John H. Thomas, 458 East 169th Street, Bronx, N. Y. 

Joseph Thompson, Beeville, Tex. 

Frank Treshman, 101 Lott Avenue, Woodhaven, N. Y. 

Patrick R. Troy, 119 Windsor Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Ernest G. Unger, Lincoln Park, N. Y. 

Cortes G. Vaillant, Little Valley, N. Y. 

Samuel Verhow, East Williamson, N. Y. 

Ernest L. VerDow, Webster, N. Y. 

Harold K. Walker, 435 Hawley Street, Rochester, 
New York. 

Joseph J. Weis, Renova, Pa. 

Fred Weissert, 9603 Avenue M, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Elbert F. Wilcox, Kent, N. Y. 

Albert W. White, 200 Jay Street, Albany, N. Y. 

Arthur G. Whitham, 9 Travers Avenue, Mamaroneck, 
New York. 

Leonard R. Wichowski, 165 Sobieski Street, Buffalo, 
New York. 

Clyde W. Wright, Byers, Tex. 

Louis J. Zimmer, Woodman Road, Rochester, N. Y. 



Mrs. Carl J. Glass, wife of Carl J. Glass, deceased, 
Portville Post Office, Gordon, N. Y. 

Mrs. Adra A. Banning, mother of George Banning, 
deceased, 105 Meigs Street, Rochester, N. Y. 

86 






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